Dimensions of Development: An Agricultural Economist Reflects on a Quarter Century in Africa

Dr. Gary R. MullinsThe Borlaug Institute

Our Future Role in the International Arena

• the need to feed 9 billion people by 2050• the need to reduce potential for conflict• the need to do this on an ever diminishing and poorer resource

base

• The Mission of the Borlaug Institute• Connect what you do with what we do• Motivate you to think about how you can interact with the Borlaug

Mission

Mission StatementTo employ agricultural science to feed

the world’s hungry, and to support equity, economic growth, quality of

life and mutual respect among peoples.

Development in ‘N’ Dimensions

Employ agricultural science

Feed the hungrySupport equityEconomic growthQuality of lifeMutual respect among

peoples

These are all desirable goals. So why is it so difficult to change for the better?

Beliefs, Attitudes and Human Affairs (Daryl Bem, 1970)

Part 1: “Nearly every group to which we belong, from our immediate familiesto our society as a whole, has an implicit or explicit set of beliefs,attitudes, and behaviors which are considered appropriate for itsmembers. Any member of a group who strays from those norms risksisolation and social disapproval; in other words, groups regulatebeliefs, attitudes and behaviors through the use of social reward and punishment.”

Beliefs, Attitudes and Human Affairs (Daryl Bem, 1970)

Part 2:“These become reference groups. We often choose our reference groups becausethey share our attitudes, and . . . in turn help develop and sustain our attitudes.”

Beliefs, Attitudes and Human Affairs (Daryl Bem, 1970)

Part 3:“. . . When behavior has been changed, the new behavior provides a sourceof self-observed evidence upon which new beliefs and attitudes can be built.”

“I cannot accomplish more than what someone wishes to accomplish for themselves.”

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies ( . . . small ones )

Kinshasa, DRC 2013

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

“Technical solutions might not be ‘the’ solution”

Bamako, Mali 2010

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

Bamako, Mali 2010

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire 2010

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

Juba, South Sudan 2013

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

Okavango Delta, Botswana 1996 Juba, South Sudan 2013

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

“Problem must begin with understanding motivating factors”

Juba, South Sudan 2013

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

Kisangani, DRC 2013

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

Kisangani, DRC 2013

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head; If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

-Nelson Mandela

“Solutions must account for the least available resource. “

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

(Juba, South Sudan 2013)

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

(Juba, South Sudan 2013)

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

(Juba, South Sudan 2013)

“‘One Health’ is reality we cannot ignore”

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

(Juba, South Sudan 2013)

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

(Cotonou, Benin 2010)

Cumulative Human Disease Cases by Local Jurisdiction - Texas, 2013

Anderson County 1 Angelina County 1 Carson County 1 Coke County 1 Collin County 3 Dallas County 4 Denton County 1 El Paso County 3 Floyd County 1 Glasscock County 1 Howard County 4 Jefferson County 1 Johnson County 1 Lubbock County 1 Montgomery County 1 Nueces County 1 Stephens County 1 Tarrant County 2 Walker County 1 Cumulative Total Entire State: 30

Bird, Human, Mosquito, Sentinel, VeterinaryWest Nile Virus: Texas - Human Cumulative 2013 Data as of 3 am, Sep 10, 2013*

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

“We also have much to learn from those whose countries and communities are less developed.”

Mkgadikgadi Pans, Botswana 2013

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies

Kisangani, DRC 2013

Observations, Reflections and Epiphanies